Justin Schultz signs one-year contract with Penguins

Defenseman had four points in 15 playoff games to help Pittsburgh win Stanley Cup

Defenseman Justin Schultz signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

Schultz, 26, was an unrestricted free agent. He had four assists in 15 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including one on Brian Dumoulin's goal in the first period of Game 6 of the Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks. The Penguins won the game 3-1 and clinched the Stanley Cup.

"I said right after we won that Pittsburgh was my No. 1, it's been my No. 1 all through this process," Schultz told the Penguins website. "I just loved playing there and I'm super excited to get back it."

The Penguins acquired Schultz in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers for a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on Feb. 27. He had one goal, seven assists and a plus-7 rating in 18 regular-season games.

"I think it's a good fit for me," he said. "I felt like I played well when I came to Pittsburgh and the organization's been great for me. I love the coaches, my teammates, everything. I love the city. It's just been a great experience and I couldn't be more excited to go back there."

In 266 regular-season games with the Oilers and Penguins, Schultz has 29 goals and 109 points.

"I'm going to be an offensive guy who moves from the blue line, jumps up when I can and creates offense, but also be responsible in my own end and gain the trust of the coaches to maybe put me out there in tougher situations late in the game against other team's top lines or stuff like that," he said. "Just coming in and doing what I can."

Schultz was selected in the second round (No. 43) of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks but was unable to come to terms on a contract agreement. He played three seasons with the University of Wisconsin before becoming a free agent and signed a two-year entry level contract with the Oilers in 2012.

Schultz had eight goals and 27 points in 48 games during his rookie season in 2012-13, including scoring his first NHL goal in his second game.

"Just knowing you've won the Cup gives you some confidence going in," he said. "Plus you're comfortable with the guys you've played with those last four months there. It gives you confidence. I'm really excited to go out there and show what I got."